HCM City aims for 8.7 percent GRDP growth in 2017

HCM City (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City People’s
Council has set the target of a gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth
of 8.4 - 8.7 percent in 2017.

The GRDP growth was among 19 key targets of the resolution
that the council adopted on December 9 at the end of its third session. The
resolution sets out economic, culture and social tasks for the city next year.

Other major objectives include the formation of 50,000 new
enterprises and a 1.2 percent reduction in the poverty rate among households, and
an employment rate under 4 percent in urban areas.

The city will strive to have 17 doctors per 10,000 residents,
bring clean water to 100 percent of local households and raise the ratio of
treated industrial wastewater to 90 percent.

The council requires the city to rise to the top five
localities nationwide with highest provincial administration performance index,
provincial competitiveness index, and public administration reform index.

Closing the session, Chairwoman of the municipal People’s
Council Nguyen Thi Quyet Tan said that the city will face many difficulties and
challenges in 2017 as the competitive edge of many products is reducing.

State budget allocation to the city has been cut sharply,
while spending need is high, she noted.

Tam proposed that the city People’s Committee design
breakthrough measures to implement the resolution, with focus on creating an
open and transparent environment for investment, thus mobilising resources for
socio-economic development and reducing budget expenditure.

At the same time, the city should promptly build and submit
to the Government proposals on pilot mechanisms for the city, while strengthening
decentralisation by giving more power and tasks to district-level governments.

During the session, participants also adopted a number of
documents, including a resolution on decentralising income sources and a public
investment plan for 2017.-VNA